Finding Joy in the Pressing On!

Max and I are still waiting for news on the visa, but not worried, as July 22nd is the projected date for contact after the initial review process. Now is our time to hurry up and wait - but not without purpose! Not only is our marriage relationship growing steadily - though Skype, snail mail, texts, and phone calls - but the time apart has opened doors to opportunities we wouldn't have otherwise had.

I have always loved working with children. From babysitting and being a camp counselor, to teaching and just chatting with kids who come to visit Calef's Candy Land - nothing makes my day like a kid's smile and hello! Since the weather has warmed up, I've also enjoyed getting to know the children from my apartment a little better, and whenever I bring my rabbit, Peanut Butter Cup, out to play - out they come too! We all work together to make sure she doesn't sneak through the fence and into the neighbor's garden! Wascally Wabbit!

A post I did this past winter was the pictures of my four Compassion sponsored children. Since I was 16 and sponsored my first girl, Pamela from Uganda, I have had a growing love for children around the world who are in need - especially in need of someone who believes in them!

Recently, Max and I learned about two boys in Alto Trujillo, a very poor suburb of the city where Max lives, who are in need of hope. Samuel, 12, and Isai, 8, lost their mother to breast cancer two months ago. They are living with their father and grandmother, but miss their mom terribly. Whenever it is cloudy, Isai is afraid that his mother can't see him from the sky. Isai, who earlier this year was at the top of his class, now is refusing to do his school work and he says he wants to go far away from home.

When Max and I learned about the situation of these two boys, we decided that we wanted to help, however much or little we can. For Mother's Day Max stopped by to bring a new soccer ball to the boys. Only the older brother was home, and a picture of him with the new ball and another of him and his grandmother are below. Soon we hope to begin selling Peruvian made products to raise money to help the boys' father pay for the debts the family has incurred due to hospital and funeral costs.

It made me so happy to hear that when Samuel saw my husband getting off the bus this morning, he immediately had a huge grin on his face and raced over to greet his friend (they previously had know each other from a school building project Max completed in their area a year ago). I'm so glad his heart is open to receive his and our friendship, and I hope and pray that with time, little Isai, will be able to know that the clouds don't keep him from being seen by people who love him.